Run The Jewels – "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1"

Run The Jewels – “Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1”

At this point, what more can be said about Run The Jewels, the monolithic tag team of rappers El-P and Killer Mike? Their debut album, last year’s self-titled release, was arguably the best rap release of the year, (Yeezus be damned) full of the hardest-hitting, blood-spilling raps anywhere. At this point, with the level of success they’ve achieved, you might think the two would pack it in and call it a day.

But from the sounds of “Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1,” the first single off of their next album, it hardly seems like these two are willing to rest for a minute, or even take a victory lap. They’re still about making the grittiest, violentiest music possible, in case you were worried that they had grown soft. Over one of their most minimal, industrial beats yet, the two take turns taunting, teasing, and cajoling any pretenders to their throne. Killer Mike warns, “No hocus pocus, you simple suckers been served a notice,” while El-P mocks, “Look at these kitties Mike, I’m a rat-a-tat ’em for living.”

It’s a clear warning that the two intend to make their follow-up album just as earth-shattering as their first, and that the two see themselves as rap’s leading voices, even if they don’t have the media attention of the likes of Kanye, Drake, or Jay Z. And who can blame them? With their album slated for release October 28, you better believe that Run The Jewels is ready to fight to the death against any fuckboy rappers foolish enough to challenge them.